Schedule 4 of the Constitution of Nepal divided Nepal into 7 Provinces on 20th September 2015. Before the division of Rukum and Nawalparasi, there were 75 districts in Nepal. However, the government decided to divide these two districts into separate entities on April 26, 2017, bringing the total number of districts in Nepal to 77.
Each province is made up of a specific number of districts from a particular area, providing a clear administrative structure across the country. If you are looking for information on the districts of Nepal divided by province, the following list provides a comprehensive breakdown of the districts in Nepal under each province. This list can serve as a helpful reference for those interested in understanding the administrative structure of Nepal at the district level.
Districts in Nepal: Table of Contents
Number of Districts in Each Province
The following table contains the name of each province in Nepal their respective headquarters, total surface area, population residing in that area, and number of districts in that area.
| Name of Province | Headquarters (Capital City) | Area (km2) | Population | Number of Districts |
| Province No. 2 (Madhesh) | Janakpur | 9,661 | 6,114,600 | 8 |
| Province No. 7 (Sudur-Paschim) | Godawari | 19,539 | 2,694,783 | 9 |
| Province No. 6 (Karnali) | Birendranagar | 30,712 | 1,688,412 | 10 |
| Province No. 4 (Gandaki) | Pokhara | 21,793 | 2,466,427 | 11 |
| Province No. 5 (Lumbini) | Deukhuri | 19,271 | 5,122,078 | 12 |
| Province No. 3 (Bagmati) | Hetauda | 20,300 | 6,116,866 | 13 |
| Province No. 1 (Koshi) | Biratnagar | 25,905 | 4,961,412 | 14 |
| Total | 147,181 | 29,164,578 | 77 | |
Also read: Population of Nepal (District and Province)
List of Districts in Koshi Province (Province no. 1)
There are a total of 14 Districts in Koshi Province. The following are the districts in Koshi Province. The name of Koshi Province was finalized on Falgun 17, 2079 (in AD 1st March 2023). Koshi province is the largest province in terms of the number of districts and number of local levels. And it is
The following are the districts in Koshi Province with their respective headquarters, areas, and population.
| Name of District | Headquarters | Area (km²) | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taplejung | Taplejung | 3,646 | 120,590 |
| Sankhuwasabha | Khandbari | 3,480 | 158,041 |
| Solukhumbu | Salleri | 3,312 | 104,851 |
| Udayapur | Gaighat | 2,063 | 340,721 |
| Morang | Biratnagar | 1,855 | 1,148,156 |
| Ilam | Ilam | 1,703 | 279,534 |
| Jhapa | Bhadrapur | 1,606 | 998,054 |
| Khotang | Diktel | 1,591 | 175,298 |
| Bhojpur | Bhojpur | 1,507 | 157,923 |
| Sunsari | Inaruwa | 1,257 | 926,962 |
| Panchthar | Phidim | 1,241 | 172,400 |
| Okhaldhunga | Siddhicharan | 1,074 | 139,552 |
| Dhankuta | Dhankuta | 891 | 150,599 |
| Tehrathum | Myanglung | 679 | 88,731 |
| Total | 25,905 | 4,961,412 | |
List of Districts in Madhesh Province (Province no. 2)
Madhesh province is the smallest province in Nepal located in the eastern Terai region to the central region of Nepal. Madhesh province has 8 districts among 77 districts in Nepal which makes province no. 2 (Madhesh Province) the smallest province of Nepal by the number of districts as well as by the area.
The following table contains the name of each district within Madhesh Province with their respective headquarters, surface area, and population.
| Name of District | Headquarters | Area (km²) | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahottari District | Jaleshwar | 1,002 | 627,580 |
| Rautahat District | Gaur | 1,126 | 686,723 |
| Dhanusha District | Janakpur | 1,180 | 754,777 |
| Siraha District | Siraha | 1,188 | 637,328 |
| Bara District | Kalaiya | 1,190 | 687,708 |
| Sarlahi District | Malangwa | 1,259 | 769,729 |
| Parsa District | Birgunj | 1,353 | 601,017 |
| Saptari District | Rajbiraj | 1,363 | 639,284 |
| Total in Madhesh Province | 9,661 | 5,404,416 | |
List of Districts in Bagmati Province (Province no. 3)
Bagmati Province, which encompasses the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, is the most populous in the country, boasting a population of 6,116,866 according to the 2021 census. It also holds the position of being the second-largest province in Nepal in terms of the number of districts, with 13 districts under its jurisdiction among the 77 districts in Nepal. When considering total surface area, Bagmati Province is the 5th largest or 3rd smallest province, covering an area of 20,300 square kilometers.
The following table contains the name of each district within Bagmati Province with their respective headquarters, surface area, and population.
| Name of District | Headquarters | Area (km²) | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhaktapur | Bhaktapur | 119 | 432,132 |
| Lalitpur | Lalitpur | 385 | 551,667 |
| Kathmandu | Kathmandu | 395 | 2,041,587 |
| Nuwakot | Bidur | 1,121 | 263,391 |
| Kavrepalanchok | Dhulikhel | 1,396 | 364,039 |
| Rasuwa | Dhunche | 1,544 | 46,689 |
| Ramechhap | Manthali | 1,546 | 170,302 |
| Dhading | Nilkantha | 1,926 | 325,710 |
| Dolakha | Bhimeshwar | 2,191 | 172,767 |
| Chitwan | Bharatpur | 2,218 | 719,859 |
| Makwanpur | Hetauda | 2,426 | 466,073 |
| Sindhuli | Kamalamai | 2,491 | 300,026 |
| Sindhupalchok | Chautara | 2,542 | 262,624 |
| Total | 20,300 | 6,116,866 | |
List of Districts in Gandaki Province (Province no. 4)
Gandaki province (named after the name of Gandaki River that flows from the region) is located almost in the central region of Nepal. It consists of a total of 11 districts among 77 districts in Nepal. Pokhara, the capital of Tourism in Nepal is the Capital (headquarters) of Gandaki Province as well. As per the last national census (2021), Ganddaki is the second smallest province in Nepal with a total population of 2,466,427 living in that region. It is 4th largest province in Nepal by total surface area and number of districts in it.
The total surface area of the Gandaki Province region is 21,466 and the number of districts in it is 11. The following are the districts in Gandaki province with their respective headquarters, total areas, and populations.
| Name of District | Headquarters | Area (km²) | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parbat | Kusma | 494 | 130,887 |
| Nawalparasi (East of Bardaghat Susta)* | Kawasoti | 1370 | 378,079 |
| Syangja | Putalibazar | 1,164 | 253,024 |
| Tanahun | Damauli | 1,546 | 321,153 |
| Lamjung | Besisahar | 1,692 | 155,852 |
| Baglung | Baglung | 1,784 | 249,211 |
| Kaski | Pokhara | 2,017 | 600,051 |
| Manang | Chame | 2,246 | 5,658 |
| Myagdi | Beni | 2,297 | 107,033 |
| Mustang | Jomsom | 3,573 | 14,452 |
| Gorkha | Gorkha | 3,610 | 251,027 |
| Total | 21,793 | 2,466,427 | |
List of Districts in Lumbini Province (Province no. 5)
Lumbini province is located in the western region of Nepal sharing the border with India. It is named after the name of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Lumbini is the 2nd smallest province in Nepal covering a total surface area of 19,271 km2. Despite being smaller, it is 3rd largest province by population which is 5,122,078.
There is a total of 12 districts in Lumbini Province. This again makes this province the 3rd largest province by number of districts. The following is the list of all districts in Lumbini Province Nepal with their respective headquarters, areas, and population.
| Name of District | Headquarters | Area (km²) | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nawalparasi (West of Bardaghat Susta)* | Ramgram | 792 | 386,868 |
| Gulmi | Tamghas | 1,149 | 246,494 |
| Eastern Rukum* | Rukumkot | 1,161 | 56,786 |
| Arghakhanchi | Sandhikharka | 1,193 | 177,086 |
| Pyuthan | Pyuthan | 1,309 | 232,019 |
| Rupandehi | Siddharthanagar | 1,360 | 1,121,957 |
| Palpa | Tansen | 1,373 | 245,027 |
| Kapilvastu | Taulihawa | 1,738 | 682,961 |
| Rolpa | Liwang | 1,879 | 234,793 |
| Bardiya | Gulariya | 2,025 | 459,900 |
| Banke | Nepalganj | 2,337 | 603,194 |
| Dang | Ghorahi | 2,955 | 674,993 |
| Total | 19,271 | 5,122,078 | |
List of Districts in Karnali Province (Province no. 6)
Karnali is considered to be the most backward (least privileged) province of Nepal. Karnali province is the least populated yet largest province by area. It means that it stands first when it comes to the total surface area with a massive 30,712 km² and ranks last in terms of population with a total count of 1,688,412 people staying here.
When it comes to districts, Karnali has 10 districts making it 4th largest province in Nepal by the number of districts. The following are the 10 districts of Karnali Province with their respective headquarters, areas, and population.
| Name of District | Headquarters | Area (km²) | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Rukum District | Musikot* | 1,716 | 166,740 |
| Salyan District | Salyan | 1,462 | 238,515 |
| Dailekh District | Narayan | 1,502 | 252,313 |
| Kalikot District | Manma | 1,741 | 145,292 |
| Jajarkot District | Khalanga | 2,230 | 189,360 |
| Surkhet District | Birendranagar | 2,451 | 415,126 |
| Jumla District | Chandannath | 2,531 | 118,349 |
| Mugu District | Gamgadhi | 3,535 | 64,549 |
| Humla District | Simikot | 5,655 | 55,394 |
| Dolpa District | Dunai | 7,889 | 42,774 |
| Karnali Province | Birendranagar | 30,712 | 1,688,412 |
List of Districts in Sudur-Paschim Province (Province no. 7)
Sudur Paschim is the farthest western province in Nepal. Sudur Paschim is the 3rd smallest province by total surface area of 19,539 square kilometers. It is also the third smallest province in Nepal by the total population (2,694,783) residing in that area.
Sudur Paschim is also the 2nd smallest province by the number of districts comprising only 9 districts among 77 districts in Nepal. The following are the 10 districts of Sudur Paschim Province with their respective headquarters, areas, and population.
| Name of District | Headquarters | Area (km2) | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baitadi District | Dasharathchand | 1,519 | 242,157 |
| Dadeldhura District | Amargadhi | 1,538 | 139,602 |
| Kanchanpur District | Bheemdatta | 1,610 | 513,757 |
| Achham District | Mangalsen | 1,680 | 228,852 |
| Doti District | Dipayal Silgadhi | 2,025 | 204,831 |
| Bajura District | Martadi | 2,188 | 138,523 |
| Darchula District | Darchula | 2,322 | 133,310 |
| Kailali District | Dhangadhi | 3,235 | 904,666 |
| Bajhang District | Jayaprithvi | 3,422 | 189,085 |
| Total | 19,539 | 2,694,783 | |
That is the complete list of Districts in each province of Nepal. If you have to remember the numbers, you can see the following chart.
Largest Districts in Nepal by Area
The following are the ten largest districts in Nepal by their total surface area.
| SN | Districts | Area in Square Kilometer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dolpa | 7,889 |
| 2 | Humla | 5,655 |
| 3 | Taplejung | 3,646 |
| 4 | Gorkha | 3,610 |
| 5 | Mustang | 3,573 |
| 6 | Mugu | 3,535 |
| 7 | Sankhuwasabha | 3,480 |
| 8 | Bajhang | 3,422 |
| 9 | Solukhumbu | 3,312 |
| 10 | Kailali | 3,235 |
Smallest Districts in Nepal by Area
The districts in Nepal are divided based on different factors such as population density and availability of resources. Therefore, the area of districts in Nepal varies by a high margin. For example, the smallest district in Nepal i.e. Bhaktapur is around 66 times smaller than the largest district of Nepal. The following are the smallest districts in Nepal by area.
| SN | Districts | Area in Square Kilometer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhaktapur | 119 |
| 2 | Lalitpur | 385 |
| 3 | Kathmandu | 395 |
| 4 | Parbat | 494 |
| 5 | Terhathum | 679 |
| 6 | Nawalparasi (West of Bardaghat Susta)* | 792 |
| 7 | Dhankuta | 891 |
| 8 | Mahottari | 1,002 |
| 9 | Okhaldhunga | 1,074 |
| 10 | Nuwakot | 1,121 |
Which is the smallest district in Nepal?
The smallest district in Nepal by total area is Bhaktapur, located in the Kathmandu valley of Bagmati Province. It has an area of 119 square kilometers.
Which is the largest district in Nepal?
The largest district in Nepal by total area is the Dolpa district in Karnali Province. The total area of the Dolpa district is 7,889 square kilometers.
Which is the smallest and largest province in Nepal by area?
The smallest province in Nepal is Madhesh Province (Province no. 2) and the largest province in Nepal is Karnali Province (Province no. 6)
Related: Postal Code of All Nepal
5 Largest Districts of Nepal by the population are:
1. Kathmandu
2. Morang
3. Rupandehi
4. Jhapa
5. Sunsari
Update it…
The area of Parasi is 634.9 km2
The area of Terathum is 679km2. So the smallest districts in the ascending order according to their area there is Parasi instead of Terathum. Update it.
No. The area reflected above is correct. Although the area declared in their districts official websites shows 634, it seems to be clearly copied from Wikipedia. The total area of Nawalparasi purba and paschim is not equal to the original area of Nawalparasi.
The above is correct as the total sum of these two splitted districts are equal to the original. Thank you.